South Africa are going to hope for a better batting display when they face an invigorated Bangladesh in their Group D encounter of the T20 World Cup here on Monday.
Both teams will have their job cut out for them as they would have to negotiate the whimsical pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
Though South Africa could probably be said to hold slightly more advantages given that they have been in action at this venue twice previously, it is worth noting that Bangladesh had played India as a build-up game at this place.
South Africa had to labour hard in order to win against Netherlands on Saturday and never looked comfortable with the bat even while chasing 103 against Sri Lanka and 77 respectively.
It is not expected that the Proteas will tamper with their four pacer attack made up of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartmen who have done quite well in the competition so far with Keshav Maharaj doing spin duties.
But then again, batters must do better. In a match against Netherlands, South Africa only managed 33 after playing ten overs.
If it was not for Number Four Tristan Stubbs and David Miller who walked into bat at number six before firing an unbeaten fifty, Porteas would have been facing a hat-trick of losses from Dutch sides over World Cups.
A win therefore will put South Africa firmly in command of Super Eights berth.
In addition to this, History is also on South Africa’s side as they haven’t ever lost to Bangaldesh in T20Is and have beaten the Tigers in each of the last two editions of the World Cup
Bangladesh started their campaign by defeating rivals Sri Lanka which will give them a lot of moral boost.
However, like Proteas even Bangladesh’s batters must improve. They struggled against India as part of warm up matches, and Sri Lanka.
The top order is brittle and while Liton Das has been impressive, the rest need to step up especially in challenging conditions.
Besides, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is not picking wickets as well as runs which are a big concern for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s pace attack lacks a genuine tearaway fast bowler who can rock the opposition at the top and they might struggle against a formidable South African line-up comprising several power hitters
Teams (From):
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton , Tabraiz Shamsi , Tristan Stubbs .
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed , Litton Das , Soumya Sarkar , Tanzid Hasan Tamim , Shakib Al Hasan , Tawhid Hridoy , Mahmud Ullah Riyad , Jaker Ali Anik , Tanvir Islam , Shak Mahedi Hasan , Rishad Hossain , Mustafizur Rahman , Shoriful Islam , Tanzim Hasan Sakib .
Travelling reserves : Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.
